3,000 PUV drivers receive COVID-19 vaccine from DOTr

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has been hands-on when it comes to battling the COVID-19 pandemic in the local public transport sector. Its latest initiative in doing so is giving 3,000 PUV drivers COVID-19 vaccines under the TsuperHero: Kasangga sa Resbakuna, A Vaccination Drive for Transport Workers Program.

DOTr rolls out a vaccination program for PUV drivers

This program was launched in partnership with the Department of Health (DOH), Paranaque City Government, Mega Manila Consortium Corporation (MMCX), and Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) where the vaccination was held. PUV drivers received the first dose vaccination under the said program.

The government agency will temporarily cease the program on August 21 to prepare the second dose schedules of the 2,945 PUV drivers who received their first dose. And on August 28, it will resume its program for the second dose.

As a way to keep the transport sector safer

To ensure that safety protocols are observed within the program, DOTr Secretary Art Tugade stated that ‘NO WALK-IN POLICY’ is strictly implemented. With that being said, Tugade encourages operators to make a schedule via dotrvax@gmail.com so more PUV drivers will be vaccinated for the safety of the motoring public.

Transport workers who are not part of an organization may proceed to the health desk of the venue to reserve a slot in the program. Of note, vaccination slots are non-transferable.

More operators are encouraged to reserve a slot

As of this writing, around 14.4-percent of the Philippine population, or 15,565,411, received at least one dose already. Meanwhile, fully vaccinated people residing in the country are now at 12,743,082, or around 11.8 percent.

Aside from the said vaccination program for PUV drivers, the DOTr has been offering free train rides for vaccinated authorized persons outside of residence (APOR) to help combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Vaccinated APORs may avail of free train rides at the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3), Light Rail Transit Line (LRT-2), and Philippine National Railway (PNR).

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